Esophagectomy in patients with prior percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement

BackgroundThe impact of preoperative percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in patients undergoing esophagectomy is uncertain.MethodsA retrospective review was performed in consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy. Patients were divided into groups based on whether or not they had preoperative PEG placement.ResultsOne hundred seventeen patients were studied, 102 without (PEG−) and 15 with PEG+ before PEG tube placement. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38% and 3%, respectively. The use of a gastric conduit was similar between groups (94% PEG− vs 87% PEG+, P = .27), and the presence of a PEG before PEG tube placement was not prohibitive in any case. Anastomotic leak rates were similar between groups (11% PEG− vs 15% PEG+, P = .65), and there were no leaks from previous PEG sites.ConclusionIt appears that preoperative PEG tube placement has no adverse effect on the performance of esophagectomy and may be considered in highly selected patients with poor nutritional status.